Bill Vilona: Top five FSU players from dynasty era

Florida State linebacker Derrick Brooks lines up during a game against the Clemson Tigers on September 11, 1993 at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Flroida. The Seminoles defeated the Tigers 57-0. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)(Photo: Scott Halleran, Getty Images)

There are many things to cherish in a career of covering college football.

One is the window it offered to seeing some of the game's greatest players during an assignment at Florida State to some of the game's greatest players.

I've often been asked about the best of that era from 1987 through 2000 when Bobby Bowden and the Seminoles maintained a captivating run of Top 5 finishes in the polls, 10 or more wins each season and yearly challenges for the national title before the BCS system began and after.

The Seminoles not only had some of their best in school history during this time, but many of the greatest in football history.

So choosing a top five? Tough to pare. But among the players I watched during those years, there are five who jump off the chart. Going one to five is subjective, of course, but collectively these guys redefined their position in many ways and carried their greatness beyond FSU.

With the Seminoles in position, at least right now, to serve notice on their return when facing No. 1 ranked Alabama on Saturday night in a game everyone can't wait to see, these are the best five I saw on the field at FSU.

1. DEION SANDERS — The fans saw the bombast, the theatrics and his athleticism in games. But his greatness was each day on a practice field. Sanders, a former prep quarterback from Fort Myers, worked to be the best at cornerback.

Back then, media could see practice, especially at FSU where Bowden didn't mind if you watched every practice.

He made the single-greatest football play in 1988 I've ever seen when he literally picked off a pass for Michigan State's Andre Rison while running full speed on a deep route down the middle. He leaped over Rison's back, never touching him, getting the ball like a pelican swooping a fish in the air, then turning the other way.

Rison stood momentarily with his hands out as if wondering where the heck the ball went as Sanders was heading the other way.

Aside from captivating as a cover cornerback, he was also the greatest quote ever.

My favorite gem from Deion: "Every day I wake up and look in the mirror and say, mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the greatest DB of them all?

"And the mirror looks back and says, "Why, you Prime Time."

2. CHARLIE WARD — Midway through his junior season, Bowden and offensive coordinator Mark Richt made a career-defining move. They put Ward exclusively in the shotgun formation, spread the field, ran a no-huddle, up tempo offense where the bulk of decision-making was on Ward's shoulders.

He thrived. FSU won. Ward became a runaway winner of the 1993 Heisman Trophy. He redefined the quarterback position and offensive strategy that you see so prevalent at all levels of football today.

Ward also led FSU as a point guard to the NCAA Elite Eight. They have never been that far since. He became a first round NBA draft pick. He helped the New York Knicks reach the NBA finals.

Few athletes in American history (think Bo Jackson) ever had this kind of two-sport greatness.

3. WARRICK DUNN — Like Emmitt Smith, Dunn's elusiveness was his greatness. They both were runners where it seemed like they were made of rubber where tacklers just bounced off them.

Dunn was a four-year star for FSU. He and Ward connected to beat Florida in 1993 then teamed for the winning field goal drive against Nebraska to win the Orange Bowl and give FSU its first national title.

He was dependable, durable and proved how effective a running back could be as a pass catcher. Off the field? The greatest person you would ever meet.

4. DERRICK BROOKS — The coaches were initially skeptical Brooks could play as a college linebacker. He wasn't that prototypical 6-3, 240 pounds. But that changed in August before his first game in 1990.

As Bowden remarked after one preseason practice, "He's just a natural going forward. He's one of those guys you don't want going backwards (like a safety) because it takes away too much of his strength."

But Brooks was also great at covering receivers and few FSU defensive players could match the way he hit people at the line of scrimmage. He literally drove right through ball-carriers.

He redefined the linebacker position all the way into the NFL and his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction was the final exclamation on a guy who changed how linebackers played.

5. PETER WARRICK — The Seminoles don't beat Michael Vick and Virginia Tech in their epic 1999 Sugar Bowl battle without Peter Warrick. He made players all over the field.

Florida State has a legacy of great receivers starting with Fred Blietnikoff. But Warrick, who caught more TD passes (32) than anyone in FSU history, was also dangerous as a punt returner and a runner on reverse plays and toss sweeps.

In the 1999 season, he scored touchdowns from five different positions on a field. As great as quarterback Chris Weinke (32-3 record as starter), Warrick was a guy who electrified in games.